Despite a predictable championship game between two NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC) powers, 2021 marked one of the wildest seasons in college football history.  The season was filled with surprises, from Texas A&M beating Alabama for the first time since 2012, to an underwhelming Clemson team that did not even finish the season ranked.  Furthermore, Oklahoma State ended as the best team in Oklahoma and Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan finally beat Ohio State.  On top of that, fans witnessed a record-setting 47 AP top-25 losses through the first seven weeks of the season. 

“It was really nice to see things start to shake up in college football.  It’s always been so predictable, with the top five programs dominating, so having underdogs start to take over is a welcome change,” said junior Alex Almahmoud.

On the last day of the year, the best teams in the nation faced each other in six bowl games, and ten days later, the top two battled it out for the title. 

The first of New Year’s Six bowl games, the Peach Bowl, kicked off as Michigan State faced off against the University of Pittsburgh.  Both of these teams were not expected to be contenders, shocking the world with win after win.  The Peach Bowl was set to be one of the most exciting matchups; however, the star players on both teams, running back Kenneth Walker III of MSU and quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pitt, opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft.  Nevertheless, it was a battle down to the wire with MSU prevailing by a score of 31-21.

In the Rose Bowl, sixth ranked Ohio State faced off against eleventh ranked Utah.   The game was a true shootout, as both teams constantly traded touchdowns.  Utah took a commanding 35-21 lead at the half, but CJ Stroud refused to give in.  Late in the fourth quarter, OSU tied the game and ultimately scored a game-winning field goal, giving the Buckeyes a 48-45 victory. 

“An exciting, great display of offense all throughout.  It was entertaining to watch Jaxon Smith-Njigba and CJ Stroud break records,” said sophomore Max Baum.

CJ Stroud set a Rose Bowl record by throwing for an astounding 573 yards to go along with six touchdowns, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke the record with 15 receptions and receiving 347 yards.  On top of this, he caught three touchdowns to seal the win for Ohio State.

The first College Football Playoff (CFP) game began with the top-seeded Alabama against Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl.  It had been a historic season for the Bearcats, who went undefeated and became the first non-Power 5 team to make the playoffs.  While Cincinnati was looking to prove themselves, Bama wanted to add to their expansive trophy collection. 

Many doubted whether Cincinnati deserved to be in the CFP in the first place, thinking they would be unable to compete with a powerhouse program like Alabama.  Although Cincinnati competed with Alabama for one quarter, with Alabama only leading 7-3, the game quickly began to unravel.  Despite a strong defensive performance, Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ritter’s offense could never get going, squashing Cincinnati’s championship hopes.  After the first quarter, Alabama would go on to outscore Cincinnati 20-3, winning the game 27-10.  Alabama running back Brian Anderson Jr. had himself quite the game, rushing for 198 yards.  On defense, Will Anderson Jr. tallied two sacks and helped to stifle the Cincinnati offense. 

“He is a great player and leader on the team right now,” said Alabama Coach Nick Saban.

The Crimson Tide rolled past the defeated Bearcats and into the national championship, awaiting the night game to determine their opponent.

In the most anticipated game of the season, #2 Michigan played #3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl.  The Wolverines were on a streak, having won their first Big 10 championship in over 15 years; Georgia, on the other hand, was coming off of a crushing loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game.  Georgia’s receiving core shined, with Brock Bowers and Georgia Pickens putting on a show, while tailback James Cook dominated Michigan’s defensive front.  Georgia dominated from the first whistle to the last with their dismantling defense and efficient

 offense. 

“As a Michigan fan, it was painful to watch. Going into the game, we felt like we were really the best team in the country.  Then we got to watch our hopes get stomped out by Georgia,” said junior Chase Pastolove. 

There was no shortage of outstanding performances in UGA’s 34-11 victory.  Star linebacker Nakobe Dean shined with five tackles and a sack and defensive back Darion Kendrick picked off Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara twice.  On offense, quarterback Stetson Bennett threw for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

On Jan. 10, in the match-up that just about no one wanted as Alabama and Georgia took the field for the final game of the season, again.  Georgia came in with a vengeance, having been embarrassed a month earlier in the SEC championship game.  The game began in a defensive brawl with fans fighting to stay awake, as Alabama entered the half with a 9-6 lead.  Without star receiver John Metchie III, the Tide were already at a disadvantage, but an early game injury to projected lottery pick Jameson Williams did irreconcilable damage to their offense.  Georgia came out of the locker room with new life, taking a 13-9 lead at the end of the third quarter.  In the final few minutes of a wild 2021-22 season, Georgia scored a huge touchdown to put themselves up by eight with time dwindling down. 

With one last drive, Heisman winner Bryce Young took control of the ball.  Unfortunately for Alabama, his inexperience flashed at the worst possible time, throwing a pick 6, which sealed a triumphant win for Georgia.  Bennett, who started the season as a walk-on, had led Georgia to the promised land with their first national championship since 1980.

Whether schools were big, small, or somewhere in between, they all left everything on the field and played competitive games, making this college football season one of the best in recent memory.